Byron Bay is a former whaling station that is now a very popular
holiday resort renowned for its magnificent surfing beaches. The
lush and beautiful countryside surrounding the town was opened
up by cedar-cutters in the late 1800s and is now devoted to dairying,
cattle, pigs and tropical fruits.

The town is partly protected from the sea by Cape Byron, a
rocky promontory 107m high and the continent's most easterly point.
One of the most attractive and powerful lighthouses in Australia
stands on the cape, beaming its light more than 40km out to sea.
A walking trail leads to the tip of the cape, on the way visiting
the lighthouse and providing fine coastal views. A ramp on the
southern side of the cape is used by hang gliders who often soar
overhead. Good views of humpback whales on their migration up
the coast to Hervey Bay can be seen from the cape in July and
on their return in September.

The marine park at Julian Rocks, just off the main beach,
is situated at the meeting place of tropical and temperate currents.
Scuba divers will be dazzled by the amazing variety of fish and
marine creatures to be seen.

Beaches can be found on either side of the town and there
are numerous rocky headlands providing perfect vantage points
and ideal fishing platforms. Some local points and beaches are
considered by surfers to be some of the
best surfing beaches in the state .

Byron Bay is famous for its relaxed and sometimes alternative
way of life that has attracted an interesting mix of residents
and is reflected in the galleries and boutiques and shops with
New Age offerings.

There are many fine restaurants in Byron Bay whose cuisine
you can sample. Entertainment abounds in the vibrant pubs and
clubs around Byron Bay with live music available every night of
the week.

Many backpackers visit the Byron Bay all year round and are
well catered for with plenty of low cost hostel accommodation.
There is also plenty of house rental accommodation, apartment,
motel accommodation, and studio type accommodation in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is famous for its environmentally and socially aware
local community, boasting that it has no McDonalds, no high rise
and no traffic lights.

Famous local current and past Byron Bay residents include:

Paul Hogan, star of Crocodile Dundee; leading IMAX film maker,
John Weiley; Deb Cox, writer of the popular ABC series Seachange;
Di Morrisey, bestselling Australian author; Peter Corris, author
of the popular Cliff Hardy detective series; Harry Williamson,
Australian bank note designer; John Cornell, television personality,
producer of Crocodile Dundee, one time Australian Businessman
of the year and local publican; members of rock band Midnight
Oil; and leading vocalist, Grace Knight.

Byron Bay was named by Captain James Cook on 15 May 1770,
after John Byron, a navigator and the grandfather of the poet
Lord Byron.